Authorities Wednesday released the name of a man who was fatally shot in Vernon and whose killer remains at large.

The shooting occurred about 8:40 p.m. Jan. 10 in the 5900 block of Malburg Way. Ricardo Fernandez, 43, of El Monte died at a hospital, the coroner’s office reported.

According to the sheriff’s department, a Vernon police officer heard gunshots in the area and found Fernandez behind the wheel of an SUV that had crashed into a business’s loading dock. He had been shot once in the chest, according to sheriff’s detectives, who are assisting Vernon police in the
investigation.

A motive for the shooting was unknown, and no suspect description was available.

Anyone with information on the case was urged to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500, or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.